Green beans are a favorite among home gardeners because they’re quick to mature, highly productive, and versatile in the kitchen. Whether you enjoy them fresh, sautéed, pickled, or frozen, green beans can provide plentiful harvests from a relatively small space....
Seed Starting + Transplanting
Back to the Garden ShedBeginner’s Guide: How to Grow Blueberries in Your Garden
Although blueberries are a delicious and rewarding fruit to grow, they can be tricky for gardeners. Unlike other common fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, or grapes, blueberries require specific soil conditions and growing care.With proper preparation,...
How to Save Tomato Seeds
Saving seeds from your garden is one of the most rewarding ways to bring gardening full circle. It allows you to preserve your favorite varieties, save money, and grow plants that are better adapted to your local growing conditions. That being said, saving your own...
Guide to Seed Libraries and Getting Free or Cheap Seeds
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.I learned from one of my followers (shoutout Alyssa!) that you can sometimes find free seeds at local libraries.I was so intrigued that I checked out three libraries in my area. I found that one library didn’t have a seed program,...
Sunflower Guide: Varieties, Pollinators, and Seeds
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Few flowers are quite as awesome and iconic as sunflowers. Not only do they bring me instant happiness, but they’re also very useful. They can draw in pollinators, produce edible seeds, and beautify the garden. Sunflowers are deeply...
Succession Planting: How to Keep Your Garden Producing Through the Heat
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.If you want your garden to have peak production you may want to swap out older, worn-out plants for new plants!Additionally, you may have space that opens after harvesting part of your crops.In both of these cases, succession planting is...
How to Choose the Best Vegetable Transplants for Your Garden
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Buying vegetable transplants from a nursery or garden center is a great way to jump-start your growing season. These young plants, often called “starts,” save you the time and effort of germinating seeds indoors or waiting for them to...
How to Start Seeds Outdoors: A Beginner Gardener’s Guide
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Starting seeds outdoors is an exciting time of the year!It's amazing how quickly vegetables spring to life with the right weather conditions. Additionally, it's so nice to not have to harden off plants that are started outside.This guide...
Root Development: Supporting Early Growth and Hardening Off
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Roots might be out of sight, but they’re the most important part of a healthy plant.Understanding how roots develop during early growth can make all the difference when you're starting seeds or transplanting young plants. It’s not just...
How to Up-Pot Plants: A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.In my time gardening, I have found that potting-up my plants once before planting outside is ideal for maximum harvests. I'll touch on why exactly in this blog post!I especially love doing this with my tomato plants because tomatoes are...
Six Ways to Protect Your Garden from the Frost
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Protecting my garden from freezing temperatures is a constant battle during the spring. I live in a part of Utah (Zone 7A) that is a sub desert, and so even though the days often get warm, the nighttime temperatures can drop by over 20...
Watering Seedlings: Best Techniques & How Often to Water
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Caring for little seedings sometimes feels like taking care of a baby because they can also be fragile and hard to read. Too much water can drown the seedling’s roots or cause disease, while too little can stunt their growth or cause...
Seed Germination Tips: Improve Growth with Seed Soaking and Heat Mats
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.Getting your seeds to sprout successfully is one of the most crucial steps in gardening. And yet, many gardeners struggle with slow or inconsistent germination. It can be tricky!The good news is that there are a few simple techniques...
How to Start Seeds: Proper Depth, Moisture, and Soil for Success
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.I often hear from my family and friends that gardening can overwhelm them because of one of the very first steps: their seeds fail to germinate properly. As a result, they struggle to enjoy gardening as a whole and miss out on the...
Starting Seeds Indoors: How to Choose the Perfect Location
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here. Starting seeds indoors offers several advantages, especially for gardeners who want a head start on the growing season. It allows plants to develop strong roots and sturdy stems before being transplanted outdoors. Since I live in Utah,...

Jeff has a deep passion for gardening. Each year, he cultivates hundreds of pounds of vegetables—along with the occasional fruit—turning his garden into a thriving and productive space. Combined with Kyrié’s cooking, together, they create exciting meals using Jeff’s harvest.